Hantavillos, the illness that caused the death of Betsy Arakawa, wife of actor Jean Hackman, claims to live for three Californians.
After Arakawa, 65, was found dead along with Hackman, 95, on February 26, authorities confirmed her cause of death as “Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome” (HPS), and Hackman succumbed to advanced atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Alzheimer’s disease.
Mono County Public Health has now confirmed three total deaths from the hantavirus in Lake Mammoth, a town in the Sierra Nevada Mountains in California.
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hantaviruses includes a Virus Group It is primarily carried by rodents that can cause severe respiratory or kidney disease in humans, according to Dr. Rhys Parry, a molecular virologist at the University of Queensland, Australia.
After 65-year-old Betsy Arakawa was found dead on February 26th along with her husband, Jean Hackman, 95, authorities confirmed her cause of death as Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome. (Longalella/Longalella Collection by Getty Images)
Most Huntabilus found in North, Central America and South America can cause HPS. This disease has a fatality rate of almost 40% in them People who are infected.
All three recent California incidents have been fatal, with Dr. Tom Boo, a public health officer in Mono County, described as “tragic and surprising.”
“I don’t have a clear sense of where this young adult has signed the virus,” Boo said in a press release.
“Increasing indoor mice increases the risk of hantavirus exposure.”
One person had “many mice” in their homes, but no evidence of mice was found in the other two homes, the release states.
“I’m particularly worried about the early this year with three cases in a short period of time,” Boo said.
“We observed several mice at work, and this is not uncommon in indoor spaces at this time of year on Lake Mammoth,” he continued. “In the weeks before the illness, we have not identified any other activities that will increase this person’s exposure to mice or feces.”
The most common type of rodent for carrying it in the US is the deer mouse. “Many of us encounter deer mice in our daily lives and there is some risk. We need to be aware of the presence of mice and be aware of their waste,” advised health officials. (istock)
Public health officials say cases of hantavirus are usually seen in the area in the spring and late summer.
It’s “surprisingly rare” to see these three cases at the beginning of this year.
“I believe there will be a high number of deer mice this year in mammoths (and possibly elsewhere in the East Sierra),” Boo writes. “It is important to take precautions to increase the risk of hantavirus exposure as an increase in indoor mice.”
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Infected individuals were not engaged in activities exposed to the virus, such as cleaning poorly ventilated indoor areas, except for poorly ventilated indoor areas and many mouse waste.
“Instead, these people may have been exposed during normal daily activities at home or at work,” he said.
“Many of us encounter deer mice in our daily lives and there is some risk. We need to be careful about the presence of mice and be careful about their waste.”
How Hantavirus spreads
“Huntabilus usually spreads when humans breathe viral particles from disturbed rodent urine, feces, or nesting material,” Parry told Fox News Digital.
According to the CDC, the Huntabilus found in the United States is not known to spread among people.
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Other mechanisms of spread include breathing contaminated air when cleaning after rodents, touching contaminated objects, then touching their noses and mouths, biting or scratching by infected rodents, and eating virus-contaminated food, according to the CDC.
Dr. Marc Siegel, a senior medical analyst and professor of clinical medicine at Nyu Langone Health and Fox News, agreed that Hantavirus spreads through dust from rodent saliva, urine and places of contact.
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Most common Rodent types It’s a deer mouse to carry it in the US, doctors confirmed.
Most hantavirus cases are seen in rural areas, with rodents likely to enter homes and barns, the CDC said.
Siegel added: “It rarely affects humans because only a portion of the rodents have it, and not all of them come into contact with it.
Symptoms and treatment
Early symptoms of hantavirus include fever, muscle pain, fatigue, and Gastrointestinal problems According to Parry, it appears one to eight weeks after exposure.
“These progress to serious respiratory symptoms such as coughing, shortness of breath and lung fluid four to ten days later,” he said.
Hantavirus is an RNA virus that can be transmitted to humans via rodent feces and can cause severe illness. (istock)
The Sin Nombre virus is the most common hantavirus in the United States, which causes hantavirus pulmonary syndrome with a mortality rate of approximately 38%.
“When the lungs are filled with fluid, they are usually fatal, Respiratory failure And insufficient oxygen reaches critical organs,” Parry pointed out.
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There is no specific antiviral treatment for oxygen therapy and early intensive care therapy, and Hantavirus, experts said. Supporting means It’s important.
“Intensive care is important because patients with sudden acute illnesses can quickly become severely ill and die,” the CDC said.
Early symptoms of hantavirus include fever, muscle pain, fatigue, and gastrointestinal problems 1-8 weeks after exposure. (istock)
“If a patient is experiencing complete distress, it is unlikely that treatment will be effective.”
Cooperative care includes surveillance Heart functionadminister liquids and oxygen, and place the patient on a ventilator if necessary. Patients may also receive broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy, fever-reducing agents, and painkillers.
“Intensive care is important because patients with sudden, acute illnesses can quickly become severely ill and die.”
“There is no treatment for Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, but patients will need support from mechanical ventilators or coordinator-side oxygen factor (ECMO) machines, so patients have taken their breath to provide enough oxygen to their bodies.
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“Even with medical care, 30-40% of people who develop Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome will not survive.”
Preventing hantavirus
To prevent the virus from spreading, Mono County Public Health recommended that the gaps in the house be sealed to prevent mice from entering or storing food in rodent containers.
Health officials have advised to clean up vacuum or cleaning feces, nests and urine as it could cause the virus to air. (istock)
They also advised from cleaning or cleaning agent poop, nest, or urine, as it could cause the virus to air.
Contaminated areas should be sprayed with disinfectant or a newly created 10% bleaching solution, and they recommend and air the enclosed area at least 30 minutes before activity.
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When cleaning contaminated areas, people should wear gloves and an N-95 mask.
“Don’t eat food that may have been contaminated by rodents. Always wash your hands thoroughly after a potential exposure,” health officials added.
